Bed-rid Man after his Cure whom when Jesus found in the Temple he said to him Behold thou art made Whole Sin no more lest some worse thing chance to thee Jo. 5.14 CHAP. XIX Of Assisting Dying Persons Comfort him that lies a Dying in the Departure of his Spirit Ecclus 38.24 HE loves at all times that is a Friend and a Brother is proved in distresses Prov. 17.17 But no time is of greater Consequence than the Hour of Death and the Entrance into Eternity nor any Distress comparable to our last Agony Therefore he is our best Friend and kindest Brother who assists us most in those our greatest Extremities Now the best Service you can do an Agonizing Person is as follows § I. Admonish him to Pronounce often with a Contrite Heart the most Holy Name Jesus and Help him whilst he is able to make Acts of Faith Hope Charity and other Vertues after this manner I Believe firmly all the Articles of Faith which the Holy-Catholick-Apostolick and Roman Church Believes and Teaches I Hope that Christ our Lord for his Immense Goodness will be merciful to me and that I shall obtain Life Everlasting thro' the Merits of his most Holy Passion I Love God with my whole Heart and I desire above all things to Love him as the Angels and Saints in Heaven do Love him I am Sorry from my Heart for the Love of God that I ever Offended him or my Neighbour in any kind I Pardon from my Heart for the Love of God all my Enemies and those that have any way Molested me I Crave Pardon of all those I have at any time Offended either in Word or Deed. I Accept with Patience the Pain I Endure and the Anguish of my Sickness for God's sake in Punishment and Expiation of my Sins I Resign my self freely to the Pangs of Death for the Love of him that Died upon the Cross to Save me from â—â—dless Misery I Resolve if God Restores my Health to avoid Sin hereafter and to keep his Commandments as much as in me lies And I would rather Die in the State I now am in than Live to Offend my God any more § II. Exhort him to Pray at least in Heart as often as he 's able after this manner Have Mercy on me O God according to thy great mercy Psal 50.1 In thee O Lord have I hoped let me not be Confounded for ever Psal 30.2 Into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth Psal 30.6 O God incline unto my Aid O Lord make haste to help me Psal 69.2 Be thou Lord God to me a protector Psal 30.3 God be Merciful to me a Sinner Luk. 18.13 Most Sweet Lord Jesus in Virtue of thy Passion receive me into the Number of thy Elect. Lord Jesus Christ receive my Spirit Acts 7.59 Mary Mother of Grace Mother of Mercy protect us from the Enemy and at the Hour of Death receive us Angel-Guardian Assist me All ye Holy Angels and Saints Intercede for me and Succour me These and such like Prayers you may suggest to a Dying Person according to his Capacity § III. During his Agony sprinkle him with Holy Water offer him the Crucifix to Kiss by Efficacious words put him in hopes of Eternal Life and place the Crucifix before him that in beholding it he may conceive hopes of his Salvation thro' him who Died upon the Cross Admonish the Domesticks and By-standers to join with you in Prayer for the Dying Party and then on your Knees read Devoutly the Recommendation of a Soul departting as in the Manual But when the Soul is at the point of leaving the Body then all present must Pray most earnestly for its happy Departure and one of the Assistants applying his Mouth towards the Ear of the Person Dying must pronounce in a Hain and Comfortable Tone Jesu Jesu Jesu and as often as it shall seem fitting he may repeat that Sacred Name as also the following Sentences Into thy Hands O Lord I commend my Spirit Lord Jesus Christ receive my Spirit c. as before 4. As soon as the Soul is gone out of the Body Pray thus Succour speedily O ye Saints of God hasten O ye Angels of our Lord receive this Soul and offer it in Presence of the Highest May Jesus Christ who has call'd thee receive thee and may his Angels carry thee into Abraham's Bosom Eternal Rest give her O Lord and let perpetual Light shine unto her Lord have Mercy on us Christ have c. Lord have c. Our Father c. Vers And lead us not c. Resp But deliver us c. V. From the Gate of Hell R. O Lord deliver this Soul V. Let her rest in Peace R. Amen V. O Lord hear my Prayer R. And let my Cry come to thee We recommend to thee O Lord the Soul of thy Servant N. that being Dead to the World he or she may live to thee and the Sins he or she has committed thro' Frailty of Human Conversation do thou mercifully Pardon and Wipe away Thro' Christ our Lord. Amen In the Interim let thy Passing-Bell be rung according to the Custom of the Place that they who hear it may pray for the Soul newly departed Afterwards let the Corps be order'd handsomly and placed in a decent Room with Candle-Light and let a small Cross be set between the Hands join'd on the Breast of the Dead Body or for want of a Cross let its Hands be laid over one another in form of a Cross and let it be sprinkled with H. Water and whilst it remains in the House let all present pray for the Soul of the Party deceased CHAP. XX. Of Burying the Dead Blessed be you to our Lord who have shewn Mercy to your Lord Saul and have Buried him And now truly our Lord will render you Mercy c. 2 Kings 2.5 6. See Tob. 12.12 IN going to and assisting at Funerals there is offer'd you an Opportunity to exercise Three several Acts of Charity viz. Edifying of your self Comforting of the Sorrowful and Praying for the Dead And § I. As to Edifying of your self There is no better a Preservative against Sin than the Remembrance of Death and therefore 't is written In all thy Works remember thy last things and thou shalt not Sin Ecclus 7.40 Neither is there any livelier Memorial of Death than a Funeral Wherefore it is better to go to the House of Mourning than to the House of Banqueting for in that the end of all Men is signified and he that lives thinks what shall be Eccles 7.3 Hence at Funerals follow the Advice of Ecclesiasticus viz. Son upon the Dead shed Tears c. and according to Discretion cover his Body and neglect not his Burial Remember the last things and forget not Imagin the deceased Party says to thee Be mindful of my Judgment for thine also must be so To me Yesterday and to thee to Day Ecclus 38.16 c.
their Tribulation and to make and keep ones self unspotted from this World James 1.27 3. Perfect Charity because if I should have all Faith and have not Charity I am nothing And if I should distribute all my Goods to the Poor and have not Charity it profits me nothing 1 Cor. 13.2 3. Therefore When you shall stand to Pray forgive if you have ought against any Man that also your Father who is in Heaven may forgive you your Sins Mark 11.25 Forgive thy Neighbour hurting thee and then shall thy Sins be loosed to thee when thou prayest c. Ecclus 28.2 c. But if you will not forgive Men neither will your Father forgive you your Offences Mat. 6.15 And if thou offerest thy Gifts at the Altar and there remember'st that thy Brother has ought against thee leave there thy Offering before the Altar and go first to be reconciled to thy Brother and then coming thou shalt offer thy Gift Mat. 5.24 25. Hence it appears that Charity towards our Neighbour ought always to accompany and sometimes take place of Divine Worship and God's more immediate Service Because to do Mercy and Judgment does more please our Lord than Victims And to love ones Neighbour as himself is a greater thing than all Holocausts and Sacrifices without Charity Prov. 21.3 Mark 12.33 See also Hosea 6.6 Mat. 12.7 Besides these three Conditions mention'd 1 Tim. 1.5 you must also have 4. A good Intention to which the Apostle directs you saying Whatsoever you do in Word or in Work do all things unto the Glory of God and in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving Thanks to God and the Father by Him 1 Cor. 10.31 Col. 3.17 5. True Devotion must inspirit the whole Body of your Religious Actions and make you serve God with a perfect Heart and a willing Mind 1 Par. 28.9 For God is a Spirit and they that adore him must adore in Spirit and Truth John 4.24 by offering Spiritual Sacrifices or Acts of Faith Hope Charity and other Interior Vertues acceptable to God thro' Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 without which all outward Respects and Signs of Godliness are no better than Counterfeit Piety and downright Hypocrifie See Ps 77.36 37. Ecclus 1.40 Luke 20.47 In fine To keep Sundays and other Feasts Holy you must not only serve God in Holiness and Justice but you must be also in all Conversation Holy Luke 1.74 75. and 1 Pet. 1.15 CHAP. XXIV Of Working and Business Whatsoever you do work it from the Heart as to our Lord and not to Men. Col. 3.23 § I. BEfore you take in Hand any Work or Business make the Sign of the Cross and let it be your Intention and Aim to please Him thereby who ought to be the Beginning Progress and End of all your Actions and for that Purpose say this short Prayer Lord God of Mercy give me Wisdom from thy Holy Heavens that she may be with me and labour with me that I may know and do what is acceptable to thee Wisd 9. § II. In all thy Works be quick and Infirmity shall not chance unto thee Ecclus 31.27 The Slothful Hand has wrought Poverty the Hand of the Strong gets Riches Prov. 10.4 In all thy Works be exquisite or exact give no stain to thy Glory thro' Negligence Ecclus 33.23.24 Hence it appears that Industrious and Diligent Labour is a great Friend to Health Wealth and Reputation and it is as Advantagious to Salvation when Sanctified with Spiritual Recollection 1. By calling to mind the Presence of God or the Subject of your Mornings Meditation 2. By using Jaculatory Prayers and Silent Elevation of the Heart to God 3. By Singing with Heart and Voice Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs whilst you are at Work Col. 3.16 § III. When you have finished your Work offer it to God its principal Author Phil. 2.13 together with the Labours and Pains undergone by Christ on Earth for us Men and for our Salvation and pray that what you have done may be acceptable to the Divine Majesty thro' the Merits of our Saviour's Works c. CHAP. XXV Of Eating and Drinking Whether you Eat or Drink or do any other thing do all things to the Glory of God 1 Cor. 10.31 THE first Christians took their Meat with Joy and Simplicity or Sincerity of Heart praising God Acts 2.46 Do you in like manner And § I. Before Meat say Grace not for fashion-sake and meerly out of Custom but with that inward Devotion and outward Respect which is due to God in whose presence you are and to whom you speak for this Lesson Christ taught when looking up to Heaven he Blessed the Five Loaves and Two Fishes Mat. 14.19 * ⎠* What Virtue the Blessing of our Meat has you may see in the Annotations of the Rhemes Testament upon 1 Tim. 4.5 § II. At Table if thou be set in the midst of many stretch not forth thy Hand before them neither do thou first ask to Drink Vse as a frugal Man those things that are set before thee Leave off first for Manners-sake and exceed not lest perhaps thou Offend Watching and Choler and Torment to an Vnsatiable Man Sleep of Health is in a Man of spare Diet and his Soul with him shall be delighted Sober Drinking is Health to Soul and Body Ecclus 31. passim Eat what suffices but be not greedy in all Feasting and pour not out thy self upon all Meat for in many Meats there shall be Infirmity and Greediness shall approach even to Choler Because of Surfeit many have Died but he that is abstinent shall add Life both to Body and Soul Prov. 25.16 Ecclus 37.32 c. § III. After Meat say Grace again with Devotion and Reverence and let thy Soul magnifie our Lord for that he has filled the Hungry with Good Things and thee amongst the rest for no other end than that when thou hast Eaten and art Full thou may'st Bless the Lord thy God Luk. 1.53 Deut. 8.10 CHAP. XXVI Of Discourse If any Man think himself to be Religious not Bridling his Tongue this Man's Religion is Vain But if any Man Offend not in Word this is a Perfect Man Jam. 1.26 c. 3. v. 2. § I. B Before you fall into Discourse make your Intention to keep up thereby true Charity and Friendship with your Neighbour in Honour and Imitation of Christ's Holy Conversation on Earth with all sorts of People And then Pray thus Set O Lord a Guard to my Mouth and a Door to my Lips Decline not my Heart into Words of Malice that I fall not by Them and my Tongue destroy me Psal 140.3 4. Ecclus 22.33 § II. In Discourse speak nothing but what is Good Eph. 4.29 and Edisying * and better than Silence in regard that of every Idle Word that Men shall Speak they shall give an Account in the Day of Judgment For by thy Words thou shalt be Justified and by thy Words thou shalt be Condemned Mat. 12.36
find him Yet so if thou seek'st him with all thy Heart and all the Tribulation of thy Soul For a Sacrifice to God is an Afflicted Spirit A Contrite and an Humbled Heart O God thou wilt not despise Ezek. 20.43 Deut. 4.29 Psal 50.19 But this Sorrow for Sins past must proceed from the Love of God and not from any Worldly Respect because The Sorrow of the World works Death and kills many and there is no Profit in it But the Sorrow that is according to God works Penance unto Salvation that is stedfast Ecclus 30.25 2 Cor. 7.10 Such was the Sorrow of Magdalen when she water'd Christ's Feet with Penitential Tears c. in regard wherof Jesus said to Simon Many Sins are forgiven her because she has loved much But to whom less is forgiven he loves less * Luke 7.38 c. Whence S. John concludes He that loves not abides in Death that is in Deadly Sin unforgiven 1 John 3.14 Let us therefore love God c. (a) 1 John 4.19 And you that love our Lord hate ye Evil. (b) Psal 96.10 Because He that loves God and hates Sin praying shall obtain Pardon for Sins and shall not only purpose Amendment but also effectually refrain himself from them Ecclus 3.4 4. Make the following Act of Contrition in all Sincerity and with the Sentiments of a Heart truly Penitent My God and my All I detest all and especially such and such Sins of my Life past above all things detestable I am sorry from my very Heart and I wish I were more sorrowful for that I an ungrateful Wretch have offended thee whom I ought to have loved above all things I firmly purpose by thy Holy Grace to confess my Sins faithfully and to do the Penance that shall be enjoin'd me for the same as also to avoid all and especially such and such Occasions of Sin and never to offend thee more And in Satisfaction for my past Offences I offer unto thee together with the Actions and Sufferings of Christ all the Good I have done or shall do and all the Evil I have suffer'd or shall suffer hoping thou wilt accept thereof and pardon me for thy Mercies sake and the Merits of thy only Son out Dear Redeemer Jesus Amen And that you may nor be too remiss in a Duty that requires Pains * Ps 6.7 for farther Improvement of your Sorrow read in the Bitterness of your Soul the Psalm Miserere with the following Prayer of Manasses Lord Omnipotent who didst make Heaven and Earth with all their Ornaments who hast bound the Sea with the Word of thy Precept whom all things Dread and Tremble at the Visage of thy Power because the Magnificence of thy Glory is not Supportable and and the Wrath of thy Threatning upon Sinners is Intolerable but the Mercy of thy Promise is Infinite and unseachable because thou art our Lord most High Benign Long-suffering very Merciful and Penitent upon the Wickedness of Men. Thou Lord according to the Multitude of thy Goodness hast promised Penance and Remission to them that have sinned to thee and in the Multitude of thy Mercies thou hast decreed Penance for Sinners unto Salvation Thou therefore Lord God of the Just hast not appoinred Penance for the Just and them that have not sinned to thee but hast appointed Penance for me a Sinner Because I have sinned above the number of the Sands of the Sea My Iniquities Lord are multiplied my Iniquities are multiplied and I am not worthy to behold and look upon the height of Heaven for the Multitude of my Iniquities I am made crooked with many a Band of Sinful Affections and Habits that I cannot lift up my Head and I have no Respit Because I have stin'd up thy Wrath and have done Evil before thee I have not done thy Will and thy Commandments I have not kept I have set up Abominations and I have multiplied Offences And now I bow the Knee of my Heart beseeching Goodness of thee I have sinned Lord I have sinned and I acknowledge my Iniquities Wherefore I petition beseeching thee Forgive me Lord forgive me and destroy me not together with my Iniquities neither reserve thou for ever in thy Wrath Evils for me neither Damn thou me in the lowest Places of the Earth Because thou art God God I say of the Penitent and in me thou shalt shew all thy Goodness because thou shalt save me unworthy according to thy great Mercy and I will praise thee always all the Days of my Life Because all the Power of the Heavens praises thee and to thee is Glory for ever and ever 5. Say the Prayer before Confession as in the Manual or Primer and then Go shew your selves to the Priests * Luk. 17.14 to whom God has given the Ministry of Reconciliation * 2 Cor. 5.18 in vertue of Christ's Commission viz. Receive ye the Holy Ghost Whose Sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them c. Jo. 20.23 See also Mat. 18.18 § II. Of Confession Place your self on your Knees beside Christ's Minister like Magdalen at Christ's Feet Luke 7.38 make the Sign of the Cross ask Blessing and it being given say I confess to Almighty God and to you Father that I have very much sinned in Thought Word and Deed thro' my Fault thro' my Fault thro' my most grievous Fault Knocking your Breast with the Humble Publican Luke 18.13 thrice whilst you say Thro' my Fault c. Then having first acquainted your Confessarius with your State and Calling if he knows it not begin your Confession thus I accuse my self that since my last Confession which was so many Days Weeks or Months ago I have Here with a Contrite Heart you must declare the Sins you know or suspect to be Mortal one after another in that Course and Order you ranked them at your Examination for the help of your Memory Expressing exactly or as near as you can how often you have faln into each Sin whether it concern'd a light Matter or a Matter of Moment whether you committed it with Foresight or Reflection whether you stay'd in it long or only a short time and in Sins of Thought tell whether you gave full Consent thereto or Delighted in it or were only Negligent in rejecting it But these and such like necessary Circumstances you must unfold in as decent and few Words as possible relating what you are sure of as certain what you doubt of as doubtful without any Mixture of Impertinent Stories concerning Temporal Affairs as Losses Troubles c. without Self-Commendations and blaming or even naming of others without Concealing or Excusing your Sins either thro' Fear or Shame because He that hides his wicked Deeds shall not be directed But he that shall confess and shall forsake them shall find Mercy Prov. 28.13 See 1 Jo. 1.9 Hence according to S. Aug. The Confession of evil Works is the beginning of good Works Tract 12. in Jo. and more than
Testament * Isa 38.1 and in Settling his Temporal Concerns advertise him 1. To Pay his Debts and Restore what belongs to others 2. To leave to his Heir what is his due 3. To bestow Alms on the Poor and especially on his Needy Relations 4. To give something that his Soul may be remembred at the Altar c. And that he may be sure of some Performance in this kind Admonish him to make his own Hands Executors in part according to the Advice of Ecclesiasticus saying Son if thou hast it do good to Thy Self and offer to God worthy Oblations Before Death do good to Thy Friend and according to thy Ability stretching out thy Hand give to the Poor Before thy Death work Justice Ecclus 14.11 c. And I adds Christ say unto you Make to your selves Friends of the Mammon of Iniquity i. e. of Riches the Idol of Worldlings that when you fail they may receive you into the Eternal Tabernacles Luk. 16.9 2. And to his Body Admonish him to Surrender it entirely unto the Care and Management of his Physician saying Honour the Physician for necessity for the Highest has Created him for all Medicine is of God c. The Highest has Created Medicines of the Earth and a Wise Man will not abhor them The Vertue of these things is come to the knowledge of Men and the Highest has given knowledge to Man for to be honour'd in his Marvellous things Curing with these things he shall mitigate Pain c. Give place to the Physician and let him not depart from thee because his Works are necessary And they that practice Physick shall beseech our Lord that he direct their Cure Ecclus 38. passimo But let Physicians beware of Advising or Applying any thing for the Cure of the Body that may be hurtful to the Soul And let them not make above Three Visits to the Sick unless they be first Certified that their Patients have duly Expiated their Sins by Sacramental Confession For so the Council of Lateran and many Popes have Decreed under great Penalties If the Sick Party be destitute of Corporal Necessaries and an Object of Charity do not neglect the Relieving of him out of your own Purse or Stores as far as you are able like the good Samaritan Luk. 10. And if that will not suffice then you must take Care to make his Wants known that they may be Supplied by Private or Publick Collections of Alms. 3. As to his Soul You must Advertise him that Sickness and Diseases are many times the punishment of Sin mercifully inflicted by Almighty God for the Reclaiming of Sinners This Holy Writ declares saying He that Sins in his sight that Made him shall fall into the Hands of the Physician Eccl. 38.15 He God rebukes also by Sorrow in the Bed c. that he may reclaim their Souls from Corruption c. Job 33.19.30 O how sweet is thy Spirit O Lord in all And therefore those that err by parts thou dost Chastise and dost Admonish and Speak to them concerning the things wherein they Sin That leaving naughtiness they may believe in thee and when nothing else will reclaim them it often happens that a grievous Infirmity makes a sober Soul Wisd 12.1 2. Ecclus 31.2 In which Case Sin being taken away by true Repentance Sickness also ceases and not otherwise as it appears in that King Ezechias when Sick even to Death by Prayers and Tears obtain'd of God Health and longer Life whereas King Asa fell Sick and Died of a most violent Pain in his Feet because in his Infirmity he did not seek our Lord but trusted in the Art of Physicians 4 K. 20.1 c. Isa 38.1 c. 2 Paral. 16.12 13. Hence address your self to your Sick Neighbour after this manner Son in thy Infirmity contemn not thy self but pray to our Lord and he will Cure thee Turn away from Sin and direct thy Hands and from all Offence cleanse thy Heart Ecclus 38.9 10. That is to say Repent for thy Sins Implore the Divine Mercy Place all thy Hope in God Endure patiently the Pains of thy Corporal Infirmity in Satisfaction for thy Sins look upon it as a Fatherly Visitation and Chassisement of God less than thy Sins deserve and believe it befals thee for the good of thy Soul and the Amendment of thy Life Judith 8.27 Job 33. from v. 19. to v. 31. Ps 102.10 13 c. But if his Sickness grows Dangerous you must Admonish him to procure in due time what farther Helps are requisite for the Salvation of his Soul and that with all fitting expedition he send for his Spiritual Director and impart to him in Confession his Sins Temptations and Fears in order to receive of him Absolution fit Remedies and Encouragement as also the Holy Sacraments of Eucharist and Extreme Unction whilst his Understanding Memory and Senses are perfect without those dangerous and deceitful Delays which thro' the Falacy of the Devil have brought and Daily do bring many to endless Misery If the Sick Person will not be perswaded to Confess his Sins do not presently give him over for lost but frequently as long as he lives be putting him in mind of the great Mercy of God inviting him to Penance and most ready to Pardon his Sins if he will Confess them and endeavour to make him sensible how thro' Impenitence he hazards his Salvation and exposes himself to Everlasting Torments See Rom. 2.4 c. Moreover both Private and Publick Supplications must be made to God for the Conversion and Salvation of a Soul at the Brink of Eternity and so miserably unprovided for it You must take Care that a Figure of Christ Crucified be ever placed in View of the Sick and that Holy Water do always stand beside him wherewith he may be often sprinkled you must likewise propose unto him according to his condition some short Prayers and godly Exercises of Mind especially some Verses of the Psalms set down in the next Chapter our Lord's Prayer the Angelical Salutation the Apostles Creed the Meditation of our Lord's Passion the Martyrdoms or Sufferings of the Saints the happy State of Heavenly Glory which will abundantly Recompence all his present Grievances Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 But these things must be seasonably and discreetly Suggested that they may not molest but give ease to the Sick § III. Tell your Sick Neighbour for his Comfort that you and the rest of the Company will Pray for him And accordingly having first desired that his Thoughts and Heart may go along with your Words kneel down and say the Prayers for the Sick as in the Manual c. Last of all Exhort him if he Recovers to go to Church the first Journey he takes and there to give God Thanks for his Recovery as also to receive Holy Communion Devoutly and thenceforward to lead a better Course of Life That being a Duty incumbent on every Christian after his Recovery no less than on the
Medicin wholsom both for the Bodies and Souls of Sick Persons For their Bodies in that by its Supernatural Vertue and Efficacy it procures and restores Corporal Health when 't is Profitable and Advantageous to the Soul For their Souls in that it gives Grace which remits Venial Sins frees the Soul from Disorderly Affections and all other Relicks of Mortal Sins strengthens the Spirit with Divine Hope Comfort and Courage against the Inordinate Fears of Death and Judgment against Despair of God's Mercy against the last and most violent Assaults of our Ghostly Enemy and in fine makes Sickness and Death it self far more easie and welcome than otherwise they could be to Flesh and Blood Wherefore as you desire your Soul's Welfare in its last and greatest Extremities neglect not this Sacrament but take the Apostle's Advice in sending for the Minister of it whilst your Understanding and Senses are perfect that by Actual Faith and Devotion you may contribute to a more plentiful Receiving of its Grace and happy Effects For attaining which § I. Before Extreme Unction The things hereafter set down being prepared 1. In regard the Priest ordinarily repeats the Seven Penitential Psalms as he goes to Anoil the Sick it is meet that you join with him in the same Devotion and cause them to be read to you desiring all present to Pray with and for you that you may receive this Sacrament Worthily and that this Divine Medicin may work a perfect Cure upon your Soul whatever befalls your Body c. 2. When the Priest enters your Chamber to Anoil you think your self to be the Distress'd Traveller that fell among Thieves who spoiled wounded and left him half dead such being the State of every Sinner and esteem the Priest to be the good Samaritan who seeing him so abused was moved with Mercy and going unto him bound up his Wounds pouring in Oyl c. Luke 10.30 c. 3. When he offers you the Cross salute it devoutly in Testimony of your Faith Hope and Love towards Christ Crucified and say I believe the Son of God suffer'd upon the Cross to save me I hope he will apply the Merits of his Passion to my Soul in vertue of this Sacrament And for the Love of him that died for me I am truly content to die either now of this very Sickness or when and after what manner else he pleases 4. When he sprinkles you and the By-standers with H. Water say to God Thou shalt sprinkle c. Attend as much as you are able to what he says for your Comfort and Encouragement concerning the Vertue and Efficacy of this Sacrament which helps the Sick either to Recover or Die well according as God determines its Operation for the Good of the Receiver and take Courage whilst he puts you in Hopes of Eternal Life § II. At Extreme Unction Say or Hear the Confiteor either in Latin or English with a Contrite Heart To Misereatur c. and to Indulgentiam c. answer Amen with Desires and Hopes of Pardon Whilst the Priest Anoils 1. Your Eyes 2. Your Ears 3. Your Nostrils 4. Your Mouth 5. Your Hands 6. Your Feet 7. Your Reins Beseech Almighty God for his tender Mercies sake to forgive by this H. Vnction whatsoever you have sinned 1. By Seeing 2. By Hearing 3. By Smelling 4. By Tasting and Speaking 5. By Touching 6. By Going Ill Ways 7. By Lust § III. After Extreme Unction 1. Join in Prayer with the Priest and question not but God hears those Solemn and Holy Addresses which he makes for you in the Person of Christ and his Church 2. Give Thanks to God for his Goodness and Mercy towards us in the Sacraments you have received Many Thousands in the World lye now a Dying without the Helps to Die well which you have had in so full a measure that nothing is wanting towards making you happy with Grace here and with Glory hereafter c. 3. Keep in mind the wholesom Admonitions given you by the Priest to the end you may thereby drive away the Devil's Temptations couragiously and Die in our Lord comfortably than which no greater Blessing can befal you on this side Heaven c. Apoc. 14.13 4. Have always by you H. Water and a Crucifix that you may often Use the first and frequently Behold Kiss and Embrace the latter according to your Devotion and in so doing say to your Dear Redeemer O good Jesu hear me within thy Wounds hide me suffer me not to be separated from thee from the Malignant Enemy defend me at the Hour of my Death call me and bid me come to thee that with thy Saints I may praise thee World without end Amen * ⎠* Before the Priest comes to Anoil a Sick Person there must be prepar'd H. Water and a Table cover'd with a White Linnen Cloth having upon it a Crucifix with two Hallowed Candles on which the H. Oyls are to be placed at his Entrance into the Room A little Platter with Cotton or something like shared into Six or Seven little Parcels to wipe off the Oyl from the Parts Anointed Crumbs of Bread to Cleanse and Water to Wash his Hands A Wax-Candle to give him Light if need be whilst he Anoils and Care must be taken that all things be Clean and Decent about the Sick * ⎠* Besides the real Receiving of our Viaticum and Extreme Vnction in the time of Sickness there is a very Profitable Way of Receiving them Spiritually in the time of Health which consists in Reading Meditating and Practising what has been said of these two Sacraments once a Month while you live that you may be the better prepar'd for doing these Duties well when you come to Die For farther Instructions in this Point I refer you to the Christian Riâ—es to The Daily Exercises of a Christian Life and to The Manual of the Poor Man's Devotion At the end of which Books you may find this Exercise amply set forth CHAP. X. Of Holy Orders Every High and Inferior Priest taken from among Men is appointed for Men in those things that appertain to God c. Heb. 5.1 c. See Acts 13.2 3. HOly Orders concern the Laity no farther than 1. To know and believe Them to be a Sacrament of the Gospel in which the Persons Ordain'd by Imposition of Hands c. are made Ministers of Christ and Dispensers of the Mysteries of God and do thence receive Special Grace for fulfilling the Ministry assign'd them Acts 6.5 6. c. 13. v. 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 4.1 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim. 1.6 2. To know and believe that as it is the Duty of Pastors to Rule and Feed their Flocks Spiritually (a) Acts 20.28 1 Pet. 5.2 c. so 〈…〉 their Flocks to Honour (b) 1 Tim. 5.17 〈…〉 Obey (c) Heb. 13.17 and Feed their Pastors Corporally (d) 1 Cor. 9.7 c. that neither Contempt nor Indigency may be a Hindrance to the due Execution of
doing well you sustain Sorrows suffering Vnjustly with Patience this is acceptable before God For unto this you are called because Christ also Suffered for us leaving you an Example of Innocent and Patient Suffering that you may follow his Steps c. 1 Pet. 2.18 See an Example of good Servants under a good Master Matth. 8.9 and also under an ill one Gen. 31.38 c. 6. And you Masters and Mistresses that which is just and equal do to your Servants forbearing Threats yet so as to keep them duly employ'd and under Subjection * Ecclus 11.7 c. 33. passim Prov. 29.21 knowing that both their Lord and yours is in Heaven and Acception of Persons is not with him Col. 4.1 Eph. 6.9 See also Deut. 10.17 c. 24. v. 14 15. Job 31.13 c. Tob. 4 15. Ecclus 4.35 c. 7. v. 22 23. c. 24. v. 25 c. Masters and Mistresses must likewise provide their Servants with Necessaries for Body and Soul not only in Health but also in Sickness after the Example of the good Centurion Luke 7.2 c. Particularly they must take Care they be instructed in the Mysteries of Faith and see they Pray Morning and Evening daily Hear Mass on Sundays and Holy-days Confess and Receive Monthly c. In which Duties if any one has not a Care of his own and especially of his Domesticks he I fear has denied the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 But above all things 't is necessary that Masters and Mistresses of Families be Vertuous themselves and imitate Holy David in the Regulation and Government of his House and Court Ps 100. throughout Because what kind of Man the Ruler of the City or House is such also are the Inhabitants therein Ecclus 10.2 That is if he be Religious and fears God they likewise do the same Acts 10.2 But a Prince or Master of a Family that gladly hears Words of Lying Swearing Detraction filthy Talk c. has all his Servants wicked Prov. 19.12 For which Cause a most severe Judgment shall pass on them that bear Rule Wisd 6.6 * ⎠* Note here that it is the Duty of Brothers and Sisters as also of Fellow-Servants 1. To live in Unity and Concord amongst themselves Gen. 13.8 Ps 132. Eccles 25.1 2. 2. To help and assist one another all they can Prov. 18.19 3. To Bear with and not Accuse one another to their Parents without great Cause Gen. 37.2 CHAP. XXIX A Morning Exercise The Wise Man will give his Heart to watch early unto our Lord that made him and he will pray in the sight of the Highest and will entreat for his Sins c. Ecclus 39.6 c. WHen it is time to Rise imagin you hear the Voice of Christ your Heavenly Bridegroom saying to you Arise my Love my Beautiful one and come Let thy Voice sound in my Ears c. Cant. 2.13 14. And in Compliance with so sweet an Invitation get up quickly to Converse with him in Prayer and let no sluggish Delays bereave you of the Opportunity he offers you Cant. 5.3 6. The first thing you do after you are up Adore the Divine Majesty on your Knees by these following Acts. 1. Give Thanks to God for all his Benefits in general and particularly for preserving you this Night from the Power of the Devil and from sudden Death affording you more time to work your Salvation in and to provide for Eternity 2. Offer to God your Soul and Body with all their Powers and Faculties beseeching him so to possess and govern them by his Holy Grace that you may live move and act in and for him only and may be entirely his both in Time and Eternity 3. Divide the present Day into four Parts allotting one to Devotion another to Business a third to Refection and the last to Recreation and forecast that each of those Affairs may be done in due Time and after such Manner as this Ritual appoints 4. Ask Pardon of God for your past Sins making a firm Resolution not to oâ—â—end Him either Mortally or Venially thro' deliberate Wilfulness and Malice but to overcome all Vice and especially that which you are most subject to by avoiding such and such Occasions thâ—â—f and by doing such and such Aâ—â— of the Vertue contrary thereto 5. Beseech God to strengthen your good Purposes with his Holy Grace and to assist you so that whatever you shall think say do and suffer this Day may be for His greater Glory your own Salvation and your Neighbour's Edification And to that Effect crave the Mediation of our Saviour the Patronage and Intercession of the Blessed Virgin of your good Angel of your especial Patrons and of the Saint of the Day CHAP. XXX An Evening Exercise I meditated in the Night with my Heart and I was exercised and I swept my Spirit Ps 76.7 AT Night before you go to Bed place your self on your Knees in the Presence of God and make the following Acts of Devotion 1. Give Thanks to God for all his Blessings and Benefits both Spiritual and Temporal bestâ—â—ed on you all the time of your â—â—â—e and especially for those you have this Day received 2. Pray for Light to Discover and Grace to Amend your Faults As before Chap. III. § I. N. 1. 3. Reflect from Hour to Hour since your last Examen how you have behaved your self at your Devotions in Business at Table in Discourse and Recreation How you have perform'd the Obligations of your State and Condition What Use you have made of God's Blessings and of the Crosses he has sent you How you have complied with your Mornings Resolution of withstanding the Temptations and Failings you are most subject to c. 4. Offer to God all the Good you have done acknowledging him to be the Sole Author of it 2 Cor. 3.5 Phil. 2.13 and be truly Penitent for the Sins you find your self guilty of tho' only Venial and purpose to Amend them lest neglecting small Faults you fall by little and little into great Disorders Ecclus 19.1 Make here the Act of Contrition set down Chap. III. § I. N. 4. 5. Take upon your self some Exterior Mortification as a Penance for your Sins and implore the Divine Mercy thro' the Merits of Christ and the Intercession of the B. Virgin of your good Angel of your especial Patrons and of the Saint of the Day to pardon your past Offences and preserve you from future Failings that henceforward you may Live holily and at last Die happily And perform all these five Acts as if you were to Die this very Night and might have no other Preparation besides them for Judgment * ⎠* The last thing you do before you go to Bed Read attentively the Subject of your next Mornings Meditation or Christian Thoughts for the ensuing Day of the Month and entertain your Mind therewith until you fall asleep and as often as you awake in the Night that whilst you sleep your Heart may watch to God Cant. 5.2 and when you awake he may be the Subject of your first Thoughts in the Morning Ps 62.7 Isa 26.9 And that whether you watch or sleep you may live together with Christ in God 1 Thess 5.10 The Conclusion And now I have set before you in the foregoing Chapters such a System of Religious and Moral Duties as I intended I shall here take my leave and bid you farewel in the following Terms I beseech you Brethren that you walk worthy of the Vocation in which you are called with all Humility and Mildness with Patience supporting one another in Charity careful to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace c. Eph. 4.1 c. Converse ye worthy of the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1.26 And according to him that has called you the Holy One that is according to Christ be you also in all Conversation Holy because it is written you shall be Holy because I am Holy And in fear and Expectation of the Day of Judgment converse ye the time of your sojourning 1 Pet. 1.15 c. 2 Pet. 3.10 c. For Good and Holy Conversation is the only way to save our own Souls and the best Argument we can use for Confuting and Converting the Adversaries of our Profession as you may see Tit. 2.7 8. 1 Pet. 2.12 c. 3. v. 1 2 16. Therefore that you may be perfect and entire failing in nothing Jam. 1.4 At the end of each Month examin how you have passed it over and see whether you have gain'd or lost Ground in your Way to Heaven during so considerable a part of your Time If you have gain'd thank God for your Improvement in Vertue If you have loft confound your self for your Backwardness and resolve to live better the next Month. Because He goes back who advances not in Vertue and whosoever pretends not to become better leaves off being good See Prov. 4.18 Ps 83.8 Apoc. 22.11 1 Kin. 2.26 Luke 2.52 A like Review of the whole Year ought to be made at the end thereof according to the Form prescribed in the 5th Part of the Introduction to a Devout Life Quod fui Domine ignosce quod sum Corrige quod ero dirige ne idem momentum sit mihi Paenae Initium Vitae FINIS